Thoughts on The Estates at Olde Carpenter -Toll Brothers (Cary: for sale, new home)

[relja]

Hello, I am well into my process of narrowing down communities that I am going to be visiting in a few weeks. Our budget is up mid $400 but that should include landscaping etc. I did find 2-3 plan that are starting about in that range in this community. There is no indication about lot sizes, is basic landscaping included etc. Anyone has any feedback on this community? Public schools are of huge importance (Elementary).

The Estates at Olde Carpenter - New Homes in Cary, NC by Toll Brothers (http://www.tollbrothers.com/homesearch/servlet/HomeSearch?app=community_description&comm_num=7986 - broken link)

My other considerations are Kitts Creek, Upchurch Farms - few others.

Thanks.

[mrkharrison]

All I can tell you they don't have good schools, but build beautiful homes. Upchurch Farms has probably the best elementary school in the county, Davis Drive. However, you will not get the new home. Everything is a tradeoff. I would go with the school unless you can afford private education.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by mrkharrison

All I can tell you they don't have good schools, but build beautiful homes. Upchurch Farms has probably the best elementary school in the county, Davis Drive. However, you will not get the new home. Everything is a tradeoff. I would go with the school unless you can afford private education.

What are you talking about? Olde Carpenter is currently zoned for Carpenter Elementary which is a wonderful brand new elementary. It is year round though. Davis Drive is also wonderful as is Highcroft, Morrisviille, Cedar Fork (Kitts Creek's elementary) etc. There is not only one good elementary in the Cary-Morrisville area.

[Funky Chicken]

The "Quick Delivery Homes" in Olde Carpenter are considerably more expensive than the mid 400s. Right now the Toll site shows 4 homes-

$549xxx
$589xxx
$599xxx
$599xxx

I'd be looking to push pretty hard on any of the above as the buyer, but Toll would rather sit it out than set a precedent by discounting 20%. Right now that is not happening.

(OK Henny Penny-stop lurking and follow this post with a "wait 6 months and buy for 30 cents on the dollar" quip)

By the time you get the house you want on the lot you want with the upgrades you want you simply won't end up in the mid 400s.

In the mid 400s you have many choices in the area-right now Olde Carpenter is not one of them. $450k will buy you a beautiful resale in Cary Park or Carpenter Village, new construction (albeit on a very small lot) in Cameron Pond, a nicely upgraded 3000 sf new home on .25 acres +/- in the "Park" section of Orleans' Weldon Ridge, or a number of choices in Amberly.

[Dire Wolf]

Use the search function and you'll find a couple of recent threads on OC. Very unimpressed with the homes there (at those prices for those lots).

[RDSLOTS]

Look into the re-sales in the area. There are some very nice homes, in your price range, in Carpenter Village for sale now. Lots of young families with children of all ages, and the schools are excellent.